06.01.06
Consumer Reports Launches Natural Medicine Ratings
In an effort to protect consumers from what it calls a “largely unregulated” natural medicine marketplace, Consumers Union, Yonkers, NY, has decided to launch Natural Medicine Ratings through its Consumer Reports Medical Guide. These ratings, the organization says, offer consumers extremely detailed and thorough evidence-based safety and effectiveness information about natural medicine products. The continuously updated database contains information on close to 14,000 natural medicines including herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements, as well as other ingredients widely available to consumers without a prescription in stores and online.
The launch of Natural Medicine Ratings on Consumer Reports Medical Guide is a collaborative effort with Therapeutic Research Center, Stockton, CA, to adapt and utilize the professional version of its Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database into a consumer-friendly format. The professional version is currently used by pharmacists, researchers and doctors, who consult it for evidence-based information on natural medicines. The new Natural Medicine Ratings add another valuable dimension to Consumer Reports Medical Guide’s expansive content, including safety and effectiveness of treatments for over 100 health conditions, more than 1000 prescription drug monographs, the latest drug safety alerts and continuously updated free health information. Consumers can search by any product ingredient, brand name, or get ratings for effectiveness by condition; and check interactions between drugs and natural medicines with the Natural Medicine/Drug Interaction Checker. Information about the safety of natural medicines for children, seniors and women who are pregnant or nursing is also available.
In an effort to protect consumers from what it calls a “largely unregulated” natural medicine marketplace, Consumers Union, Yonkers, NY, has decided to launch Natural Medicine Ratings through its Consumer Reports Medical Guide. These ratings, the organization says, offer consumers extremely detailed and thorough evidence-based safety and effectiveness information about natural medicine products. The continuously updated database contains information on close to 14,000 natural medicines including herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements, as well as other ingredients widely available to consumers without a prescription in stores and online.
The launch of Natural Medicine Ratings on Consumer Reports Medical Guide is a collaborative effort with Therapeutic Research Center, Stockton, CA, to adapt and utilize the professional version of its Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database into a consumer-friendly format. The professional version is currently used by pharmacists, researchers and doctors, who consult it for evidence-based information on natural medicines. The new Natural Medicine Ratings add another valuable dimension to Consumer Reports Medical Guide’s expansive content, including safety and effectiveness of treatments for over 100 health conditions, more than 1000 prescription drug monographs, the latest drug safety alerts and continuously updated free health information. Consumers can search by any product ingredient, brand name, or get ratings for effectiveness by condition; and check interactions between drugs and natural medicines with the Natural Medicine/Drug Interaction Checker. Information about the safety of natural medicines for children, seniors and women who are pregnant or nursing is also available.